Kukla's Korner Hockey

The following essay was submitted to cbc.ca Saturday morning. Its author — who wishes to remain anonymous — is a 10-year pro who has played in the NHL, the AHL and overseas. These are his thoughts on the current labour situation:

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times” — Charles Dickens

Hockey has never been better.

The skill and speed with which today’s game is played is unparalleled. Both the on-ice and off-ice product have soared to new heights, and players and ownership are making more money than they ever have collectively.

But here we are, once again staring right into the teeth of another ugly labour dispute. After the 2004 lockout, the fans came back and forgave the unthinkable skipped season. This time, we shouldn’t be so presumptuous.

The NHL’s initial offer includes a decrease in HRR from its current 57 per cent – 43 per cent in favour of players, down to 54 per cent – 46 per cent in favour of the owners. Coupled with a 22 per cent rollback in player salaries, their shot across the bow leads me to think this doesn’t look good.

We certainly can’t be foolish enough to think that this initial offer will be accepted, but really, what can players do? If owners want to stand pat, eventually players would be forced to cave, or take their chances with another league. (Not going to happen. Ever.) We are hockey players, and that’s all we really want to do.

Comments

once again staring right into the teeth of another ugly labour dispute.

Contracts are offered by team general managers and honoured dutifully by players.

Well, one thing we know is he’s Canadian.

Let the Leafs, Rangers, Habs, and Flyers spend at will.

And probably plays in the East.

Can you remember what the last lockout was like?? I can. I was still on my entry-level contract and I will tell you it was horrible from a players’ perspective.

He played in Europe and the AHL, and was on an entry-level contract in 2004. I’ll bet there are a bunch of hockey writers who have guessed who this guy is – and there’s no doubt his GM now has guessed who he is.

He should have just gone public with his statement because, for the most part, what he wrote was spot-on.